Boy knifed to death 'in street row'

A 17-year-old who was stabbed to death in the street may have lost his life after a row, police have said.

Officers are hunting a group of youths seen fleeing the scene in Chesterford Road, Newham, east London.

Neighbours said they heard shouting and swearing in the street shortly before the teenager was found injured. One man said he saw up to three young men running away shortly before midnight on Thursday when the attack took place.

Paramedics called to the residential area found the teenager suffering a stab wound. He was pronounced dead soon afterwards.

Scotland Yard said the murder is not linked to gang violence and officers are investigating whether the victim knew his attackers. A spokesman said one line of inquiry is that some kind of row took place before the attack.

Two 16-year-old boys arrested in connection with the murder are being quizzed at an east London police station.

Police chiefs are concerned about a growing culture of violence among young people in the capital.

At least seven young people have been stabbed to death this year in random attacks, street fights and robberies.

Other victims include Ben Hitchcock, 16, killed by a single stab wound after a street fight in Beckenham, and student Sian Simpson, 18, stabbed to death in Croydon.

Last week it emerged that police have identified a potential 257 gangs in London, some of whom are known to carry knives and other weapons.